Irvine still divided on shelter plan; Mayor offers changes to the original proposal
Copyright 1987 Orange County Register
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
September 23, 1987 Wednesday MORNING EDITION
Erin Kelly, The Register
About 200 residents crowded Irvine's City Council chambers Tuesday night, debating whether to build a shelter for the homeless on the grounds of the city animal shelter.
As of early Wednesday, the council had not voted on the controversial plan, which calls for the creation of a 50-bed shelter located on Oak Canyon, but with an address of 15129 Sand Canyon Ave. Mayor Larry Agran made a motion to go ahead with plans to use the animal shelter site to create a shelter for the homeless. However, Agran said the shelter would not necessarily have to be located in the
unused kennel building. Instead, he said modular buildings owned by the city could be moved to the site or new portable buildings could be purchased and brought to the site.
In response to citizen concerns, Agran issued an invitation to the building community to come up with alternatives from the private sector in 30 to 60 days.
"I remain open to an alternative, but a commitment to help the homeless has to be made," Agran said. Agran was one of three council members voting to support the plan to house the homeless in August.
Animal lovers had objected to the original plan, saying that it would take space set aside for homeless pets.
Some people also said that they were appalled by the idea of housing people in a building constructed for animals, even if that building was rehabilitated.
"I am concerned with the human dignity of people being placed in animal shelters," said Catherine Peters, an Irvine resident.
The audience appeared to be evenly divided on the shelter issue.
Supporters wore bright-red heart stickers on their lapels to symbolize that they "have a heart" for the homeless.
"How we treat the poor, the oppressed and the homeless is of utmost importance to God," said Michael Winstead, head pastor of the University United Methodist Church in Irvine.
Winstead was one of a dozen members of the clergy who signed a letter in support of a homeless shelter.
However many residents of the Orangetree area of Irvine, located about a third of a mile from the animal shelter, remained strongly opposed to the idea.
"There is no doubt we share a duty to the homeless, but we must not sacrifice our city to that cause," said Louis Roberts, an attorney and secretary of the Orangetree Condo Association.
Roberts said he feared that a shelter for the homeless would attract large numbers of vagrants to Irvine and would destroy the integrity of the quiet residential city.
Residents said, however, that they support the current efforts of Irvine Temporary Housing, the non-profit group that would run the shelter.
The group now leases apartments to house homeless families. Residents said Tuesday that they would support the leasing of more apartments, but they oppose centralizing that housing at one site.
